Dow Jones Industrial Average Notches Fourth Straight All-Time High

With a lack of market-moving catalysts, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:DJI) has spent time on both sides of breakeven today. The blue-chip barometer started the relatively quiet session on the south side of the flat line, but has since clawed its way to a comfortable lead of 36.4 points, or 0.2%. In fact, the Dow notched a record high for a fourth straight session, peaking at 17,618.46. Not to be outdone, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is trading higher -- and tagged its own all-time acme at 2,038.70 -- edging closer to potential resistance at 2,050.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• The annual sales event generating bullish buzz for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA)
• The accounting problems plaguing one real estate investment trust (REIT)
• Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with notable call volume is BABA, which has generated bullish attention ahead of "Singles Day" (11/11) tomorrow. BABA calls are flying off the shelves at three times the typical intraday pace, and the equity's 30-day at-the-money implied volatility has jumped 11.8% to 46.4%, signaling elevated demand for short-term contracts. In fact, the most active option is the weekly 11/14 120-strike call, which traders are buying to open to bet on a move north of $120 by the end of the week, when the options expire. After touching another record high at $117.42, BABA has trimmed its lead to 1.5% to flirt with $116.29.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

Among the equities hitting new highs today is Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) -- which owns a stake in BABA. The security touched a record peak of $49.63 earlier, and was last seen 1.6% higher at $49.31, despite Wells Fargo resuming coverage with a lukewarm "market perform" rating.

On the Big Board, Dean Foods Co (NYSE:DF) is leading the pack, up 14.9% at $16.57, after the company unveiled a (relatively rare) smaller-than-expected third-quarter loss. On the flip side, Rayonier Inc. (NYSE:RYN) is the biggest laggard, down 12% at $29.82. The stock earlier touched a fresh three-year low of $28.81, and was temporarily halted, after the REIT said it would restate first-half financial results (subscription required) following an internal review. RYN is now 5.8% lower year-to-date.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) initially ticked higher, but has since dropped 0.7 point, or 5%, to 12.46. The "fear gauge" is now on pace for its lowest close since Sept. 19.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) weighs in at 1.95, with puts nearly doubling calls. SPY tagged a new all-time high of $204.04 earlier, was last seen 0.2% higher at $203.79.